NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, the new Republican nominee for the state’s 11th Congressional District.
Balkcom was tapped to run this month after Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jennifer Balkcom, who is running to represent the wonderful people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District!” Trump declared in part of a Monday Truth Social post.
REPLACEMENT GOP NOMINEE NAMED AFTER REP CHUCK EDWARDS DROPS RE-ELECTION BID
North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (North Carolina General Assembly website)
Balkcom thanked the president in a post on X.
“THANK YOU, President Trump! I’m incredibly grateful for your support, and I’m proud to stand and fight for the people of Western North Carolina. In Congress, I’ll work with you to continue rebuilding WNC after Helene, deliver real results for our communities, and fight to make life more affordable for hardworking families. I’m ready to get to work,” she wrote, adding an American flag emoji.
Trump had endorsed Edwards for re-election before the lawmaker decisively won the March 3 Republican primary in the state’s 11th Congressional District, but the congressman announced on Aug. 5 that he was ending his re-election run.
GOP REP CHUCK EDWARDS DROPS RE-ELECTION BID AFTER HOUSE ETHICS REPORT RECOMMENDS CENSURE
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on Aug. 14, 2026 in Garden City, N.Y. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Edwards made the announcement in the wake of the House Committee on Ethics releasing a report about him recommending censure.
The report states that the committee found that the congressman “engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers.”
GOP LAWMAKER’S GIFTS, ‘EFFUSIVE AFFECTION’ TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., leaves the Capitol Hill Club after a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“While Representative Edwards denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together,” the report stated.
